Vending machine



Dec. 15, 1942.

Filed Sept. l5, 1939 B. W. FRY

VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Shes?l 1 Dec. 15, 1942.

Filed Sept. l5, 1959 B. W. FRY

l VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. Y15, 1942. s. w. FRY

' VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1939 a .voi

m@ mw B. w. FRY

VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. l5, 19259 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 15, 1942. B. w. FRY

,VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented' Dec. 15,r 1942 l VENDING MACHINE Benjamin W. Fry, University CityMo., assignerv to National Vendors, Inc., St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 15, 1939, Serial N o'. 295,005

` v omms. (o1. 31a- 55) This invention relates to vending machines, and With regard to certain more specific features, to coin-controlled vending machines.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a vending machine of the class described which is adapted selectively to vend, under the control of a single coin releasing mechanism, one article outQof individual supplies of a great'variety of different articles;Y the provision of a vending machine of the class described including various article storage compartments, in relatively great plurality, which compartments are arranged along two coordinates, such as vertical and horizontal coordinates; the provision of a vending machine of the class described wherein individual ejection means are provided for each of the said article compartments, and means are provided whereby actuation of any one of the ejecting means automatically locks all of the other ejecting means against simultaneous actuation; the provision of a vending machine of the class described including means preventing improper access to or withdrawal of an article from the article storage pocket thereof; and the provision of a vending machine of the class described which is relatively simple and economical in construction, and durable, reliable, positive, and fool-proof in operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction and arrangements of parts which will be eXempliiied in the structures hereinafter described,vand the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which' is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a vending machine embodying the present invention;

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7 are cross sections taken substantially along lines 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, 5 5, 6 6 and 1 1 of Fig. l, and various other figures, respectively;

Fig. 8 is a back eleva-tion of an article storage compartment, taken substantially at the position indicated by lines 8 8 in Figures 2 and 4; and,

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken substantially there be provided, in position available for selective delivery, stores of a number of different species of the articles of the class. I This observation applies particularly in the vending of printed matter, such as small books or pamphlets'and magazines. Each species of the class of articles to be Vended accordingly requires a separate ccmpartment for its storage and display, and consequently each compartment requires a separate ejecting mechanism; otherwise, prohibitive expense factors are involved, due to the large amount Vof space required for individually complete vending machines for each of the species s of the classof articles. Furthermore, it is advisable, from the standpoint of practical utility in a vending machine of this type, that a single coin release mechanism be capable of freeing any one of the multiplicity of article storage com- -partments and associated ejecting means, toperform thevending operation. With one such coinreleasing mechanism, the user can inadvertently make no'mistake in depositing his coinior eX- ample, Yinthe receiving slot of a compartment of articles in which he' is not interested.

The space conserving feature, in a machine of this sort, is highly important. The best arrangement of article storage compartments 'to bring about such economy of space is for said compartments to be located or disposed along two coordinates, .such'as vertical and horizontal coordinates, or in both rows and ranks. In that Way, a maximum number of article storage compartments is packed together'in a minimum amount of space.A v

The present invention is believed `to be the rst vending machine which succeeds in providing such article storage compartments in a two-coordinate disposition, together with individual ejecting mechanisms for each of the compartments, and aninterlocking system so that only one compartment out of the entire group may be operated upon the presentation of a single coin or payment.

The highly advantageous space conservation achieved in the vending machine of the present invention is primarily due to the interlocking mechanism hereinafter to be more specically described, and such interlocking mechanism, While serving its primary function of preventing the manipulation of more than one compartment for any one payment, is nevertheless extremely simple in construction and reliable in operation.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a vending machine embodying thepresent invention. vThe vending machine as shown in Fig. 1, and in the other figures of the drawings, is, for purposes of simplicity of illustration, shown as deprived of its outer casing, that is, the box or article of furniture in which it is mounted. It will be understood, of course, that in a vending machine as it is presented tothe public, such an outer casing or furniture portion is to be added to the apparatus herein specically shown and described.

In the vending machine shown in Figure l, nine article storage compartments separately indicated by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I are shown; these are arranged in "groups of I threes yin two coordinates, horizontal and vertical. All of these compartments together occupy only approximately nine times the area, or volume, of one of the compartments. The individual compartments are arranged in rows or ranks of three compartments each -(considered horizontally or vertically) there being a total of three such rows or ranks.

It will be understood, of course, that'the choice oflnine compartments for purposes of illustration is not to be considered as limiting the present invention; on the contrary, the -principles of the present invention may successfully be used with any plurality of individual compartments preferably greater than four.

Each horizontal row/of three compartments is contained in and supported on a vertical panel, made of sheet steel or the like', indicated at numeral I. The three panels I thus provided are in turn mounted on vertical side panels 3, extending from the top to the bottom of the machine. Surmounting the topmosty panel I, between the side panels 3, is an ornamental, relatively shallow panel 5, and underneath the bottommost panel I, between sidepanels 3, isa base panel 1. Narrow slotsor gaps 9 areprovided along the lower edges of each of the panels I, the said slots 9 providing discharge openings through which the articles in the individual compartments, A, B, C, etc., may be vended.

Each compartment A, B, C, etc., has its .own article ejecting mechanism, which, from. the front of the machine, constitutes the handle end of a plunger or pull-bar II. The said plungers extend through suitable openings just beneath the top edges of the panels I (or 1) just beneath the respective compartments they control.

nated in Fig. 1 by the special index character IIA, is located just beneath the top edge of the middle panel I, in central position beneath the compartment A.

The panels I are provided with windows I3, one for each compartment A, B, C, etc., through which the individual article stored in that compartment may be displayed, or through which the total remaining supply of such article in its compartment may be viewed, together with or in the absence of a display.

Located near the bottom of the'right-hand side panel 3 is a coin-receiving slot I5. Deposit of a coin in the slot I5 is effective ,to control the operation of the ejecting means of. all of" the compartments A, B, C, etc.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the'inner edges of the respective side panels 3 are bent backwardly at right angles to form side supporting plates I 1 and IS, at the left and right-hand sides of the machine,` respectively. The vouter edges of said sidepanels 3 may-'likewise berbentzback as indicated at numerals' 2l, to I.constitute rein- For example, the plunger for compartment A, desigforcing or supporting flanges. Similarly the top edges of side panels 3 may be bent backwardly to form reinforcing flanges 23.

Referring rnow more particularly to Figures 4, 5 and 8, it will be seen that the top edge of each panel I is bent backwardly at right angles to form a supporting shelf indicated by numeral 25. In turn, the rear edges of. the shelves 25 `are bent downwardly at right anglesto form ver# tical flanges 2'1, which are consequently disposed parallel to the panels I. A shelf' 25 and a ange 21 need not be provided for the topmost panel I, but such elements are provided along the upper edge of the bottom panel 1.

The lowermost edge of each of the panels I is ,bent inwardly and then upwardly, as, indicated at numeral 29 in Fig. 8, to form shallow. channelshaped troughs, adapted to receive and hold window glasses 3| for each of the windows I3. and likewise to hold display articles, such Aas the` book .33shown in Fig. 6. The lower surfaces of the `channel-"shaped flanges l29 arel preferably sloped downwardly and forwardly, as indicated at'numera135 in Fig. 6, in order to constitute means for guiding articles to be ejected into the gaps 9 through which they are delivered.

The individual article storage compartments, referring particularly to Figures 64 and 8, all comprise preferably identical light sheet metal rectangular boxes `or the like indicated a-t numeral 31. The boxes 31 have completely unobstructed open tops for loading the articles to be vended (such as the books 33 therein). The side walls 39 of the boxes 3'1 are ordinarily, although not necessarily, solid and imperforate. 'I'he front and back walls, however, preferably comprise only relatively narrow vertical flanges 4I and 43, respectively,'which are bent inwardly at right angles from the side walls 39. To increase the rigidity of the front walls, however, a sheet metal angle piece is preferably secured between the two flanges 4I; the front edge 41 of the horizontalportion of this angle piece 45, if suitably spaced, can advantageously be used, in assembly, as a means for holding the display book 33 vertical and tightly against the window glass 3I. The said box front flanges 4I do not extend clear to the botorn of the box, but terminate short thereof to provide a slot orl opening 49 the full width of the box, through which the articles may be ejected forwardly into and through the gap 9.

The back flanges 43 are preferably likewise re inforced by a sheet metal angle piece 5I therebetween.

The bottom 53 of thebo-x 31, from which the side walls 39 are preferably bent upwardly, is located only under the front portion of the box 31; said bottom terminates rearwardly as a downwardly-turned flange 55 which, when the box is in position in the vending machine, closely overlies the flange 21 of shelf 25. The flange 55 is interrupted by a central gap 51 (see Fig. 8) to permit the passage of an ejecting mechanism lhereinafter to be described. A machine screw 59, passing through the flange 55 and threaded into the flange 21 on shelf 25, constitutes means for securing vthe box in its designated rposition on the shelf 25. The box 39, back of the flange 55, is open-bottomed.

The boxes 31 are loadedfor vending with the articles to be dispensed, such as the books 33, in vertically stacked relation therein, and the stack is preferably topped by a freely moving weight or follower 6 I.

In order to prevent unauthorized access Vto the articles in the box 31 as by a hook inserted rearwardly through the gap 9, thebottom of each box 31 is preferably provided with a broad leaf spring 63, which extends clear across the width of the box. The front end of the leaf spring 63 is free from the bottom 53 of the box 31, and normally tends to press upwardly `.with its edge resting against the under surface 35 of the channel-shaped flange 29. When an article 33 is ejectedv forwardly, it readily pushes the spring 63 down and out of its way (see dotted-line position of delivered article 33 in Fig. 6), but the insertion of a hook, knife or the like rearwardly through gap 9 is ineiiective to reach ythe articles 33 remaining in the stack, because such hook or the like is caught between thevunder sideof spring 63 and the box bottom 53.

rIfhe individual article-electing mechanism will next be described, with reference particularly to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8. v y e The plungers I I, hereinbefore mentioned, preferably comprise rectangular or square metal bars, and they slide horizontally, back and forth, in suitably provided openings in the panels I (or 1) and coextensive flanges 21. At their front ends, each of the plungers II is preferably provided with linger-grip indentations 65. The plungers II are `of suflicient length so that, in their retrac-ted positions, they extend back a little farther than the rear ends of the article storage boxes 31.

At its rear end, each plunger II is provided with a hook or pusher plate 61, of considerable width, each of which comprises a iiat portion 69 and an upstanding edge 1I at the rear thereof. The upper surface of the flat portion 69 is preferably provided with grooves or indentations 13, to reduce the weight of the pusher plate, and to reduce the area of surface in frictional engagement with the article being ejected. The pushers 61 are held to the plungers II by means of machine screws 19, the heads of which are suitably recessed in one of the notches 13 as shown. Ears 'I5 extend downwardly from the pusher plate 91 and engage the opposite sides of the plunger II, to `further increase the rigidity with which these two elements are connected.

It will readily be seen (see dotted-line position in Fig. 6) that when the plunger II is grasped, from-the front of the machine, and pulled forwardly, that the upstanding edge 1I of the pusher plate 61 engages the rear end of the lowermost article 33 of the stack in the box 31, and pushes said article forwardly off the bottom of said stack. The article 33 depresses the spring 33 and passes through the gaps 49 and 9, consecutively, the front edge vof the article emerging from the front of the vending machine where itmay readily be grasped and completely withdrawn by the purchaser. At the instant that a withdrawal is completed, the spring 63 snaps back into its normal position to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of another article.

The forward movement of the plunger in a discharging operation, may be considered as limited by the abutment ofthe pusher plate 61 with the ilange 21. This is clearly a sufficient movement to push an inch or more of the article out through the gap 9, so that th'e article may readily be grasped by the purchaser for further and complete withdrawal.

The mechanism by which unauthorized operation of more tha none plunger Ii at any one time is prevented, will next be explained.

Referring again to Figures and 6, it will be seen that each plunger has secured theretmby machine screws 11, at a point aboutmid-way along the length of the plunger, a vertical plate 19, which projects both above and below the plunger II. Just below the plunger I I, the plate 19 has a rectangular notch or recess 8|, and the forward extremity of the portionl of the plate 19 beneath the notch 8| isr bent outwardly, at right angles to the plane of 'the plate 19, to form a projection 03.

Freely mounted in a rotatable' manner on a y screw 85 threaded into the outside face of plate 19 is ahook or dog or latch member 81. The member 81 has a lower portion 89, and an upper portion 9|, the upper portion 9| being recessed to form a downwardly-facing hook 93. The said upper portion 9| is preferably of considerably greater area, and hence weight, thann the lower portion 89, so that the normal tendency ofthe member 81 as a whole is to rotate in a clockwise direction, when viewed from th'e aspectfof Figure 6, under the inuence of gravity. When the plungerA II is in its retracted position (full lines in Fig. 6), however, the lower portion 89 of the dog member 81 abuts against the inner surface of flange 21, and'this abutment holds the dog 81 rotated, against gravity, to a'counterclockwise Referring now more particularly to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, numerals 95 indicate fiat horizontal locking bars each of which is continuous and unbroken and extends across under an entire horizontal row of compartments and through supporting slots 91 and 99 in th'e side plates I1 and I9, respectively. `The slots 9 1 and 99 permit the bars 95 to move back and forth, in their' own planes, but in directions normal to their length. In order to keep the bars 95 parallel to the front panels I, they are provided at each end with cylindrical projections IOI, which enter slots |03 in arms I 05 secured firmly and non-rotatably on their other ends to relatively heavy rods |01, which rods |01 extend across th'e entire machine and are supported, respectively, in suitable openings in side plates I1 and I9. Because of their iirm attachment to the rods |01, the arms |05 at each end of the machine are permitted to rotate only co-extensively, and through the engagement of the pins |0I in the slots |03 of said arms |05, this compels the horizontal bars 95 likewise to maintain parallelism with th'e rods |01, and consequently with the panels I, throughout their forward andv backward movement.

The bars 95 are normally retained at the rear extremities of the slots 91 by tension springs |09, each hooked at one end into the end of a bracket I II supported on therear edge of the side wall I1, and hooked at the other end into the arm |05.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the horizontal bar 95 normally enters the notch 8| in' the plate 19.0n'plunger II, and, under the influence oi'v spring |09, normally presses said plate 19 rearwardly until it abuts the inner surface of flange 21. I'his engagement of the horizontal bar 95 with the plates 19 likewise serves as means for normally retracting each of the plungers Il, after it has been pulled in a dispensing operation.

'I'he horizontal bar 95 is provided with an opening |I3 in position to meet th'e hook 93 of each dog 81. Endwise movement of the horizonvtal bar 95, it will be understood, is prevented by the engagement of the ends of such horizontal the plunger, because of the engagement of `the notch portion Stof plate 'I9 mounted onthe plunger with said -horizontal bar 95. The fully extended, forward position of a plunger` I, and its horizontal bar 95, is indicated in` dotted lines in Fig. 6. For certain reasons .to Ibe* explained ereinafter, it is important, forthe proper. functioning of the machine, that Aonce this forward movement ofone of the horizontal bars 95 .is commenced, said 4movement shall be :required to be; continued, without any intervening reverse movement, tothe full forward position ofqthe said horizontal bar 95. For. thisreason each horizontal bar 95 is provided, on vthe insidesurface of supporting side plates I9, with a-fullstroke mechanismillustratedlin greater` detail in Figure 7, to which attention is now directed.

For the extent of its .length associated with this full-stroke mechanism, yeach horizontal bar 95 is provided on its under surface with a series of indentations orserrations I|5 running parallel to the length of the bar and preferably extending clear across the width of the bar. Numeral indicates a ratchet lever that is pivoted'on a screw ||9 threaded into the innersurface of said'supporting side plate I9. The ratchet has a rectangular head I2 I, and at its other end it is hooked to atension spring |23 anchored at its other end to an ear |25 struck up from the said side plate I9. The pivot ||9is located substantially midway alongthe length of the slot 91, from front toback, andl isconsequently substantially at the mid-point oftravel, back and forth, of the horizontal bar 95. When, now, the horizontal bar 95movesV forwardly, lits leading edge engages thesaid head |2.| and forces the head to rotate, in a clockwise direction as viewed from the aspect of Fig. '7, to a sloping position indicated in dotted lines, against the Itensionof the spring |23. The left-hand corner of head l2| then succesively engages the notches or serrations I I5 in the under side ofthe moving horizontal bar I |5. Forward movement of said horizontal bar is permitted, but attempted reverse movement is unsuccessful because the ratchet is incapable of rotating, at the moment, in a counterclockwise direction, as would be necessary to permit such reverse movement. The-horizontal bar 95 can thus movey forwardly only, until it reaches the forward extremity of its travel, when its trailing edge passes over the head |2| of ratchet III andallows the ratchet to resume its normal, vertical position under the inuence of spring |23. When the horizontal bar 95 commences its rearward travel, now, the ratchet IH rotates to a: reverse position, and, acting in the same general manner, but in an inverted sense, prevents a change ofvdirection of the rearwardly moving horizontal bar 95 until it has again assumed itsrearmost position, which is its normal position under the influence of its spring |99.

The latch 8T (referring againto Fig. 6) serves to lock any plunger I being manipulated to the horizontal bar 95 during this controlled back and forth movement of said horizontal bar 95. As soon as the plunger ispulled forwardly, away from theange 21, Ithe weight .of tthe upper portion 9| of clog.y 81 causes thelhooko93 to fall intothe opening,- |3.in the-,- horizontal bar.. 95, since the flange 2T! no longerengagesv thelower portion 89 of said dogl 8'|.to prevent such action. With the hook 93 thus engaged in the opening ||3-.in horizontal bar 95, it willreadily be seen that the plunger II cannot ybe pushed backinto the machine, from its extended position, without simultaneously pushing back the horizontal bar 95; and, by reason of the action of theratchet mechanism of Fig. 7, the horizontal bar 95 cannot .be pushed backwardly until it has completed a full -movement to the forward endof its travel.

It willbe seen, however, thatthe horizontal locking bar 95 in its retracted position is free of any permanent attachment to any oneplunger II. This is because the hook93 of each plunger is normally held out of engagement withsaid bar in the manner describedexcept after a stroke has been started, after which the ,hook 93 couples into the opening ||3 so that the respective plunger is prevented` from beingV pushed in until completion of the pulling stroke.y Accordingly, any one plunger |I in a given row of compartments maybe operated, causing the operation of the Vhorizontal bar associated with that Arow of compartments, but such` actuation does not affect the normal retracted positions of all of the remaining plungers II in that row. With the mechanism so far described, however, it is possible simultaneously to actuate two or more plungers in a given row, and since this is not to be desired, the mechanism provided for preventing such action will next be described.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 and 6, it will be seen that the shelves 25 are provided, on their under surface, with downwardly struck, oppositely facing pairs of ears |25, which serve to slidably support a compositevhorizontal bar, indicated generally by numeral |21, which is composed of longitudinally detached units |29. The individual units |29 are free to slide or separate with respect to each other. The units |29 are one less in number than the number of article compartments in a horizontal row; in other words, with the embodiment shown, there are two bar units |29 for the three compartments found in a horizontal row. Blocks |3I, screwed or otherwise secured to the under faces of the shelves 25, serve to limit the endwise movement of the said bar units |29. The blocks I3| are so positioned that the units |29 are free to move only by a distance equal to or slightly in excess of the thickness of the upwardly projecting portions of plates 'I9 on plunger bars (see also Fig. 6).

As indicated as numeral |33, the corners along the rear edges of each of the bar units |29 are beveled in opposite directions, so thatwhen two bar units |29 come together, the meeting doubled portions |33 form a guiding notch.

It will now be seen that when any one of the plunger bars is actuated, its plate 19, guided by the notches or gaps afforded by beveled portions 33, forces a gap for itself between adjacent bar units |29, or between the end of one of the bar units |29 and one of the stop members I3I. The left-hand plate 19 in Fig. 4, for example, has forced such a gap for itself.. 'I'he gap thus provided is of suicientfwidth to permit one such plate 19 freely to slide back and forth; but in providing this one gap, the remaining bar units |29 have been forced together and against the opposite end stop |3| in such away that they areall. locked, andtheplatei'lS yof another plunger is'incapableof. forcing itselffargap.

The maximum travel of 'the plunger |I is such that the associated plate 19 ofany one ofthe plungers I is not entirely withdrawn, forwardly, from the gap it creates; hence so long asfone plunger in a given row is being operated, the other plungers in that row are locked against operation. In this manner only one plunger of a given horizontal row of compartments may be operated at any one time.

The mechanism so far described illustrates how provision is made insuring against operation of more than one plunger in a given row, but, so far as the foregoing description is concerned, no means have yet been provided for preventing the simultaneous operation of plungers of compartments in dilferent horizontal rows. The mechanism provided for preventing such operation will next be described.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, it

will be seen that there arefmountecl, insuitable slide bearings |35 secured to the wall l1, a. pluunits |31 provided to make up the composite verl A block |4| secured to the side tical bar |39. wall |1 just beneath the lowermost slot 91 serves to limit the downward movement of the bar sections |31 of the composite vertical bar |39. Each of the bar sections |31 has its lower rear corner bevelled, as indicated at numeral |43,Jto yprovide a guiding notch. y

It will nowbe seen that whenever one of the horizontal bars 95 moves forward in connection with the pulling of a plunger itis obliged in vso moving to enter the notch formed by the bevelled portion |43 and to force aside (up and/or down) one or more bar units |31, to create a gap in the bar |39 through which it may pass. However, the lengths of the bar units |31 are such that when a gap is so created by the lforward movement of one of the horizontal bars 95 (such as the horizontal bar 95 of the middle row in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2) all of the bar sections I31 above the actuated horizontal bar are forced upwardly, and the upper end of each bar section is brought into a locking position across la slot 91, so that 'the'horizontal bar 95 of that slot may not be moved forwardly; At the same time, the particular horizontal bar 95 in its gap between bar sections |31 locks allsuchbar sections |31 beneath it downwardly, in a position such that the lowermost bar section abuts the block |4|; consequently no horizontal bar 95 below the actuated horizontal bar is able to create itself a gap in the composite vertical bar |39, andr consequently no such horizontal bar below the actuated horizontal bar may be moved forwardly.

It will accordingly be seen that through th 9 LLL mechanism just described, only one horizontal bar 95 may be actuated at any one time; the actuation of any one such lhorizontal bar being effective to lock all of the other horizontal bars (and hence the associated plungers Il) against simultaneous movement.

It'will accordingly be seen that with the apparatus of the present invention it is possible to actuate only one plunger `out of the entire group of plungers at any one time, the actuation of any one plunger bringing into play automatic interlocking means whereby not only can none of theother plungers in its row be operated, but none of the plungers in any of the other rows can be operated.

A The mechanism by means of which the operation of the entire assembly of plungers II is controlled through a coin-release device will now be described.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that there is provided, one for each horizontal row of compartments, a bell-crank lever |45 (the bell-crank lever for the lowermost row of compartments is given the separate number |41, for reasons hereinafter tobe made clear),

each of which levers is pivoted,y at its angle or fulcrum, 'on a screw |49Jmounted in the outer surface of side plate I9.- The bell-crank levers |45(and |41) have forward arms |,5|, which extend downwardly in position to move back and 'forth across the front end of the respective slot 99. have rearwardly extending arms |53, all of which The bell-crank levers |45 (and |41) also are pivoted at their ends, as by screws |55, 4to a single vertical link or bar |51. The bar |51, and

jthe manner of its attachment to each of the bellcrank levers, provides that all of said bell-crank' levers must rotate in a like manner when any one of them is moved. To the upper end of the bar v|51 is attached one end of a tension spring |59, the other end of which is secured near the top ofthe side plate |9. The tension spring |59 tends at'all times to return the bar |51 to its relatively higher position, andH consequently to rotate 'vthe-.bell-crank levers |45 and -.|41 in a counter- -clockwise direction, as from the solid lineposition Vof Fig. 3 to the dotted linel position therein.

The ends of the unbroken horizontal bars 95 for each of the rows extend through the slots 99 Va suflicient distance that,- whenever one of said vertical bar |51 against the tension of spring |59.

It will now be seen that the operation of the entire machine may be coin-controlled by interposing any suitable coin release mechanism in the Asystem comprising the bell-crank levers |45 and |41 Aand the bar |51, since if the bar |51 is locked in its uppermost position, or any one of the bellcrank Vlevers is locked in its extreme counter-v clockwise position, none of the horizontal bars 95 may be operated (and hence none of the plungers may be operated) until after the locked condition is removed. Y y

lThe connection of .a suitable coin -release `mechanism to the system comprising the ,bellcrank levers |45 and |41 and the'vertical bar |51 is a simple matter. Numerous types of such coin By way of illustration, however, a simple form of wardly from the arm |53 of bell-crank lever |41, and centered on the screw |49, is a quadrantshaped extension IGI. The extension IGI is in the plane of the'leverl41. At its'upperedga this quadrant extension I5 I is provided for ai short distance with a peripheral'extension |53, which rearwardly terminates'as `a'shoulder |65. Secured to the inner face of the quadrant-shaped projection ISI, at the extreme upper corner thereof, is a generally rectangular block |61, which is substantially'thick enough to fill the space between the quadrant-shaped `extension ISI and the wall I9. The block` |61 rearwardly terminates short of the shoulder`|65 by a distance somewhat lessthan the diameter vofthe coin (indicated in dotted lines by numeral |69)x that is to actuate the apparatus.

"Mounted immovablyon't'he wall I'between the bell-crank lever |41 'and said wall is a guide plate '|1I,'which in thickness is capable of substantially filling the space between said lever |41 and the wall'I9. The guide plate `I1I has 'an upper edge |13 which, for a distance, is substantially circular about the screw |49, but at a radius shorter than the radius f the quadrant portion ISI of lever' |41 (to the extreme edge of extensionY I 63)V by an amount slightly lessv than the diameter of the coin |59. As indicated at numeral |15, the edge |13 of plate I1| rearwardly terminates as the bottom or left-side guide wall |15 of a coin delivery chute |11. `A companion right-side guide wall |19 for the chute |11 is provided at a suitably spaced Vdistance from the wall |15, and is preferably likewise mounted on the wall I9. The chute |11 delivers used coins to a suitable receptacle, such as the cup I8I.

Numeral |83 indicates a latchlever of'y bellcrank shape, pivoted at its angle or fulcrum on a screw |85 mounted in the wall I9. The latch lever |33 is preferablyrofa thickness equal to the combined thicknesses of the bell-crank lever |41 and the guide plate |1I. The forward arm' |81 of the lever |83 Ynormally rests,` on the upper edge of the quadrant-shaped lextension ISI, and is held iirmly thereagainst by a tension spring |89 hooked at one end tothe rearward arm II of the bell-crankrlever |83, and at its other end to any convenient means, such as a portion of a coin introduction chute |93 to be described. l t v The coin introduction chute I93leads coins introduced in the slot I on the frontof the panel 3 downwardly around a suitable curve and deposits said coin, parallel to the wall I9, perpendicularly above the pivot screw |49.

The operation of the coin release mechanism thus described will now be indicated.

When the bellcrank lever |41 is in its normal position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, it-will be seen that attempted` clockwise rotation ofthe bell-crank lever |41, in the absence,A ofa suitable coin, is prevented by engagement of the end of arm |81 of the bell-crank lever |83 with the shoulder |55 formed bythe right-hand end of peripheral extension |53 of quadrant-shaped plate Iiii. Consequently the bell-crank lever |41 cannot be rotated, and consequently none of the plungers I I may be operated, until a suitable coin |69 is introduced. y

When a suitable coin i is introduced into the coin slot i5, the coin introduction chute |93 directs it'so that it falls vertically downwardly and 'comes to rest with its bottom edge resting on the topedge |13 of guide plate |1I, and its` front edge simultaneously rests against the rear wall of' block |61. It will now be seen that the rear edge ofthecoin`is positioned `as an inclined "planey or sloping' cam, alongside "the Shoulder |65, so that/when it is now attempted-to `rotate the bell-crank 'lever I41,Jsuch rotation is possible, lbecause the 'end- 81 of latch leverV |83 engages the sloping edge of the coin 'and' easily rides-up over theshoulder |65 VontoA the peripheral wedge of extension |63. Simultaneously; the front edge of block'l 61 'and'quadranteshapedplate IBI push the coin I89=rearwardly along edge- |13 and into chute |11, which delivers it to the'coin-receiving cup |8I.

With' the Vpresent-ationof *asuitablecoin, thereforefclockwise Vrotation-of the bell-crank Ylever |41 (an'dconsequently the bell-crank'levers |45) may Vbe effected, as isra necessary operation-in order topermit the-pulling of any-of the plungers |I,for reasons rheretofore made apparent.

lt'lwill` thus be seen--that aYA single coin-release mechanism functionseifectively to lock (or-unlock) the entire kbattery Y'of A'article-ejecting plungers f I.

Two springs,narnely,4 the spring- |59 tending to'pull'the verticalbar |51 upwardly, Aand any one of the'springs I'DStendngf to pull its unbroken `horizontal1 bar/95 backwardly, conjointly function vineach instance to retract; automatically, any plunger II that may haVe'been actuated in effecting a'vending operation. The apparatus Vas a whole'thus automatically restores itself to locked positionimmediatelyon the completion of a 'Vending operation.

A feature of the machine 'which is to be noted is that the article-receiving 'boxes' 31 may easily be removed l fromv the backpf the machinefor reloading, simplyby 'removing thev screw '59 as- Vempty of articles, for' then the pusher plate 1| would attempt to'eject ay follower 6I, and'the'followers 6I are intentionally made too thick to pass Vthrmi'gh the discharge 'gaps 9.

`In` view'f the above, "it will be seen that the 'several obj ects' of the 'invention are 'achieved' and 'other Vadvantageous results attained.

As Vmany changes could be made in the above constructions without departingfrom the scope of vthe'inrilention,it"is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative .and not. in a limitingsense.

I claim; 3

l..Avendin g machine comprising a plurality of separate article-receiving compartments disposed `in a plurality of lhorizontal rows arranged one on top -of the other, each row containing a sub=plura1ityof compartments, separate means for each compartment for ejecting an article therefrom, and interlockingmeans locking all of the remaining ejecting means against operation when anyone ejectingmeans is operated, said Vinterlocking meanscomprising, for each said row, an unbrokenhorizontal bar `traversing the row land coupledr to each ejecting means in that row so that upon operationof any oneejecting means insaid row said unbroken horizontal bar is moved normally to its length, and a vertically sliding bar consisting of a plurality of .detached bar sectionswith a gap between adjacent vertical bar sections-positioned adjacent to each said horiaontal bar, the aforesaid movement of any one of said unbroken horizontal bars normallyI to its length causing said unbroken horizontal bar to enter said adjacent gap and push the vertical bar sections aside vertically, said vertical bar sections sliding so that when any one of said unbroken horizontal bars has entered its gap, all of the remaining gaps in said vertical bar are closed and prevent the reception therein of any other of said unbroken horizontal bars.

2. A vending machine comprising a plurality of separate article-receiving compartments disposed in a plurality of horizontal rows arranged one on top of the other, each row containing a sub-plurality of compartments, separate means for each compartment for ejecting an article therefrom, interlocking means locking all of the remaining ejecting means against operation when any one ejecting means is operated, said interlocking means comprising, for each said row, a horizontally sliding bar consisting of a plurality of detached bar sections with a gap between adjacent bar sections positioned adjacent to each ejecting means in that row, each ejecting means having a projection thereon adapted to enter said adjacent gap and push the bar sections aside, endwise, when said ejecting means is operated, means limiting the endwise movement of all of the bar sections of each bar so that when any one gap therein is receiving a said projection, all of the other gaps are closed and prevent the reception therein of any of said projections, said interlocking means further comprising, for each said row, an unbroken horizontal bar traversing the row and coupled to each ejecting means in that row so that upon operation of any one ejecting means in said row said unbroken horizontal bar is moved normally to its length, and a vertically sliding bar consisting of a plurality of relatively movable bar sections with a gap between adjacent vertical bar sections positioned adjacent to each said horizontal bar, the aforesaid movement of any one of said unbroken horizontal bars normally to its length causing said unbroken horizontal bar to enter said adjacent gap and push a Vertical bar section aside vertically, one or more of said vertical bar sections sliding so that when any one of said unbroken horizontal bars has entered a gap, all of the remaining gaps in said vertical bar are closed and prevent the reception therein of any other of said unbroken horizontal bars.

3. A vending machine comprising a plurality of separate article-receiving compartments disposed in a plurality of horizontal rows arranged onefon top of the other, each row containing a sub-plurality of compartments, separate means for each compartment for ejecting an article therefrom, a single means controlling the operation of all of said separate ejecting means, interlocking means locking all of the remaining ejecting means against operation when any one ejecting means is operated, said interlocking means comprising, for each said row, an unbroken horizontal bar traversing the row and coupled to each ejecting means in that row so that upon operation of any one ejecting means in said row said unbroken horizontal bar is moved normally to its length, and a vertically sliding bar consisting of a plurality of relatively movable bar sections with a gap between adjacent vertical bar sections positioned adjacent to each said unbroken horizontal bar, the aforesaid movement of any one of said unbroken horizontal bars normally to its length causing said unbroken horizontal bar to enter said adjacent gap and push a vertical bar section aside vertically,

one or more of said vertical bar sections sliding so that when any one of saidv unbroken horizontal bars has entered a gap, all of the remaining gaps in said vertical bar are closed and prevent the vreception therein of any other of said unbrokenhorizontal bars.`

4.,-A vending machine comprising a plurality of separate article-receiving compartments disposed inV a plurality of horizontal rows arranged one on top of the other, each row containing a sub-plurality of compartments, separate means foreach compartment for ejecting an article thereflfQm, a singlemeans controlling the operation of all of` s aid separate ejecting means, interlocking meanslocking all of the remaining ejecting means against operation'when any one ejecting -means is;A operated, ,said interlocking means comprising, foreach saidrow, a horizontally sliding bar consisting of a plurality of detached bar sections with a gap between adjacent bar sections positioned adjacent to each ejecting means in that row, each ejecting means having a projection thereon adapted to enter said adjacent gap and push the bar sections aside, endwise, when said ejecting means is operated, means limiting the endwise movement of all of the bar sections of each bar so that when any one gap therein is receiving a said projection, all of they other gaps are closed and prevent the-reception therein of any of said projections, said interlocking means further comprising, for each said row, an unbroken horizontal bar traversing the row and coupled to each ejecting means in that row so that upon operation of any one ejecting means in said row said unbroken horizontal bar is moved normally to its length, and a vertically sliding bar consisting of a plurality of relatively movable bar `sections with a gap between adjacent vertical bar sections positioned adjacent to each said unbroken horizontal bar, the aforesaid movement of any one of said unbroken horizontal bars normally to its length causing -said unbroken horizontal bar to enter said adjacent gap and push a vertical bar section aside vertically, one or more ofsaid vertical bar sections sliding so that when any one of said unbroken horizontal bars has entered its gap, all of the remaining gaps in said vertical bar are closed and prevent the reception therein of any other of said unbroken horizontal bars.

5. A vending machine comprising a plurality of individual article receiving compartments, individual reciprocatingplungers for removing ary ticles from the respective compartments, a'continuous locking bar for all compartments, an abutment on each plunger providing connecting means between each plunger and a rearward portion exclusively of said locking 'bar whereby starting movement of a plunger is transmitted to the bar but starting movement of the bar cannot be transmitted to any plunger, means for enforcing a full stroke of the bar after its movement has started, and'latch means between each plunger and the bar, a stop normally holding each latch open in the starting position of its respective plunger but in other positions of the respective plunger releasing the latch to connect the plunger and bar, whereby return movement of the respective plunger is prevented until full stroke movement of the bar has been effected.

6. A Vending machine comprising a plurality ofindividual article-receiving compartments, stop means under each compartment, reciprocating plungers adapted to remove articles from the respective compartments, 4a latchf on 'each plunger, a locking bar serving all'lcompartments and having means adjacent the respective plungersl for .engagement bythe latches, one-way driving connections between the respective plungers and the bar, said latch means being engageable. respectively with the stops to be held in' released positions when theplungers are retracted, but respectively-'biasedfor engagement with the bar upon leaving the stops after plungermovement starts. y

7. A vending machine comprising a plurality of individual Aarticle-receiving compartments, individual reciprocating plungers for removingv articlesfrom the respective compartments, a continuous locking bar vfor al1 compartments' in 'a row,.means biasing'the 'bar to starting position, an'abutment on each 'plunger providing connectving means between each plunger and a rearward portion exclusively of saidlocking bar whereby Starting movement of a plunger is transmitted to the bar but starting movement of the bar cannot be transmitted to any plunger, means forenforcing a full stroke of the bar after its movement has once started, and latch means between the respective plunger and the bar, a stop normally holding each latch open in the starting position of its vrespective plunger but in other positions ofthe respective plunger releasing the latch to connectl the plunger and the bar, whereby return movement of the respective plunger is prevented until'full strokemovement of the bar has been effected, return biasing movement of the bar vbeing adapted to return the respective operating plunger.

BENJAMIN W. FRY. 

